Buyer/Procurement Specialist

JOB REQUIREMENTS: The Role This role owns the sourcing, pricing, and flow of all ingredient and packaging materials. The mandate is dual: keep the plants running without material shortages, and deliver year-over-year cost savings on a spend category that drives a large share of COGS. Success is measured in both service level and dollars returned to margin. Core responsibilities Buying and supply continuity Convert MRP demand signals into purchase orders; maintain reorder points, lead times, and minimum order quantities in the ERP so the system plans accurately Expedite and de-expedite against production schedule changes; own inbound delivery dates and flag supply risk to scheduling before it becomes downtime Manage safety stock and days-on-hand targets, balancing shortage risk against working capital and shelf-life exposure Maintain accurate item master data pack sizes, conversion factors, supplier part numbers Place orders and manage delivery schedules through customer-required portals, including SAP-based portals used by several of our largest customers; keep portal orders, confirmations, and schedule changes in sync with the ERP and production plan Cost and negotiation Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and freight terms; maintain a rolling savings pipeline with quantified annualized value Track purchase price variance against standard cost and explain the drivers to finance monthly Run competitive bids and qualify second sources on high-spend and single-sourced items Monitor commodity and packaging markets (grains, oils, dairy, sweeteners, resin, corrugate) and recommend buy timing or contract coverage Support annual standard cost setting with current and forecasted material costs Supplier and quality management Maintain approved supplier documentation: specifications, COAs, allergen statements, continuing guarantees, and third-party audit certificates, consistent with SQF/GFSI requirements Run supplier scorecards on cost, on-time delivery, quality, and responsiveness; lead corrective action when suppliers miss Partner with QA on non-conforming material, holds, and supplier chargebacks Cross-functional Support new product launches: source and qualify new ingredients and packaging, secure pricing for costing, and manage first-article and pilot quantities Work with R&D and finance on cost-down initiatives reformulation, spec changes, film downgauge, case-count changes Manage slow-moving and obsolete inventory; drive disposition before write-off ***** OTHER EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: Preferred Familiarity with food safety requirements as they touch supplier approval and ingredient specifications (SQF, GFSI, FSMA) Exposure to commodity markets and contract coverage strategies Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or a related field CPSM, CPIM, or APICS certification Success measures first 12 months Material cost savings delivered, in dollars and as a percentage of addressable spend Purchase price variance against standard cost Zero production downtime attributable to material shortages Inventory days on hand and obsolescence write-offs Supplier on-time-in-full performance Percentage of high-spend items with a qualified second source Why Work for Us Steady, full-time work with competitive pay Benefit packages include health, dental, vision. 401K, company paid Life, AD&D, Short Term Disability. Friendly supportive team environment. Opportunities for growth and advancement We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, military service, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. ***** APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Apply In Person: N8W22100 Johnson Dr Waukesha, WI 53186 E-Mail a Rsum: [email protected] Call For Appointment: 262-547-2447 E-Mail a Work Application: [email protected]